Looking into purchasing our first home.....HELP!!!!?

Question

We are getting married in less then a month and we really want to purchase our first home within the next little bit of time. We have 2 potential homes.....what do we need to know? Any and all advice is welcome.

Answer 1

In order to find out the type of loan programs you are qualified for you will have to fill out a loan application, with a mortgage broker, which you can find one in your local telephone book. Make sure this mortgage broker or mortgage banker is able to do government loans such as FHA and VA loans if you qualify for one.

He will fill out this application, which takes awhile so grab your favorite beverage and sit down. Once you have completed the application, he will run your credit report which will have your credit scores.  These credit scores will determine your interest rate.

The amount of your monthly debt payments you are required to pay as per your credit report and the amount of mortgage you can take on based on your income will determine the amount of house you will be able to purchase.

When you speak with the mortgage broker you will need the following documents to complete the loan application, there will be others, but this will get you started.

#1 One month of pay stubs for each person that will be on the mortgage.

#2 Six months  bank statements from each bank in which you bank as well as statements from any 401K from you place of employment.

#3 Two years of federal income tax along with the W-2 that match.

Once he has all that he need to do he can then issue you a pre-approval letter so you can purchase a home. In this pre-approval letter will be the amount of house you are qualified to purchased.

Once he gives you this pre-approval you may now find a real estate agent to find yourself a home or he might have a referral.

Now make sure before you get your pre-approval you and your mortgage broker go over all your options as to the mortgage programs you qualify for, the interest rate, monthly payments.

If you are getting a FHA, fixed rate, two loans to eliminate PMI like an 80/20 or one loan, if you are qualified for and approved for a 100% loan.

You should select the loan that best suit your financial condition at the time. That could be an adjustable rate loan. It could be a fixed rate loan for 5 or 10 years and then adjust. Some adjustable rate mortgages only adjust once.

Make sure your mortgage broker explain all your options so you may make an intelligent decision.

What might be good for one person might not be good for you, in other words just because your friends and all your real estate buddies are telling you about the great fixed rate they got, your financial situation might call for something else.

So select the best option for you and your financial situation.



You should also get a Good  Faith Estimate (GFE) which will indicate the cost you will have to pay for getting this loan. It will also indicate the amount of your down payment.



Once you have found a home the real estate agent will then prepare a contract for you and the seller to sign.

Your mortgage broker will now order an appraisal to show proof of  the property value.

The mortgage broker might ask for additional information or documentation, don't get all up tight this is normal, just supply the information or find the documents needed.

After the appraisal has been completed you will be called by your mortgage broker to sign your loan docs so you can take possession of your new home.

Before signing any loan docs make sure they say exactly what you and your mortgage broker went over when you decided on what mortgage program was best for you.

I hope this has been of some use to you, good luck

"FIGHT ON"

Answer 2

You should hire a REALTOR®, he or she will answer all of your questions and guide you during the buying process.  The agent will be paid by the seller.

Congratulations Jill, I hope you and your fiancé will be happy in the home of your chose.

Answer 3

lots. Your credit scores and how much monthly debt you have as well as cash in the banks and reserves in the bank. Then get pre-qualifiedd for a loan then house shopping then the inspections and then the underwriting then closing then moving in then the upkeep on the home. I have written many times on this have lots of money in the bank and an emergency fund of at least 6 months living expenses just in case that you do not touch until there is a true emergency. Never buy all the home that you are qualified to buy as you need to have a life after a mortgage. In other words love each other and not a house because a house isn't a home until you can enjoy it and each other. You still have to  have fun.

Good luck and God Bless

I am  a mortgage banker in TN & KY